Like most of the Ciao-ers that have posted reviews about nicotine products, I started smoking when I was 13 as an escape from bullying at school. I only started smoking more regularly when I left home age 20. Three years later my 2-a-day habit now it hovers arond the 15 mark.
This might not sound like much, but as my boyfriend is now a smoker too (stress at work to blame - and my stress-relieving fags being on hand constantly), we are spending around a fiver a day on the cheapest cigarettes we can buy (which are unfortunately the strongest too).
WHY AM I CUTTING DOWN AND NOT QUITTING?
I don't particularly want to stop smoking, as I suffer from anxiety and smoking is the only medication that has ever relieved my symptoms. This may sound VERY odd to people who don't smoke or don't suffer from phobias as I do!
Seeing I have been without income for six months, my money has now run out and I cannot afford to carry on funding
our smoking habit. My boyfriend has promised to cut down without help. I know I can't do that, I've tried, so have decided to try the Nicorette Inhaler to get my spending under control. That's why I thought it might be worth me posting my views, as my take on using this product is slightly different to the opinions already here.
_________________________________________________
BEFORE I GO ON: I should mention that Nicotine Replacement products are designed to help you go 'cold turkey', and you are NOT supposed to use them for a while, smoke, use them again, etc. I did my research, and independent found medical studies into the effectiveness of Inhalers and NRT products in people 'cutting down', but these findings are not endorsed by the manufacturers. I want to make this clear NOW so I don't get ribbed for it later. ___________________________________________________
BUYER'S GUIDE
The Nicorette Inhaler comes in two varieties. A starter pack costs £6, and contains the Inhalator, case, six cartridges and instructions. The full pack costs £20 and also contains an Inhalator and case, but instead of six cartridges, you get forty-two!You're looking at £1 a cart in the small pack compared to around 50p a cart in the big one.
BUT IT'S JUST AS EXPENSIVE AS FAGS!
It is, if you rely on Nicorette's recommendation of 6-12 cartridges a day. In my opinion, that is way too high and most of the reviewers here agree. Today I have had 2 and a half fags, and I'm part-way through my second cartridge - and actually threw away the first one too early anyway. Two carts a day from a starter pack is half the price of 20 fags... from a big pack, you'll save £3 a day!
If you're still not convinced, look on eBay for sealed packs. I just got a brand new, unused 42-cart set for £14 including delivery, so my carts are currently costing me 33p each. They come up quite often on there, so do have a look.
I decided to get the Inhalator over the gum because it's cheaper, and the reviews on Ciao were much more positive for the inhaler. I'm also a bit of a gadget fiend!
USAGE AND DOSING
The Inhalator looks like a 3" long tampon applicator with one fluted end, although it is more compact than I expected. It's white, and feels 'solid'. You can't easily let it rest in your mouth like a cigarette, and it's a bit big to sit it between your fingers... it would be nicer if it was a bit thinner, although I do hold it that way while I'm on the computer, it occupies my hand nicely and I can put it in my mouth absent-mindedly.
The Inhalator unscrews about three-quarters of the way along to take the cartridge. You simply push one half of the inhalator around the cart to break the foil seal, then do the same with the other half and twist to close it.
You have to inhale as though you're sucking through a straw, which can be a bit hard to get used to at first. Each inhalation can be short or long, and you can use it for as long as you need to - until you think of something to occupy you, or until the craving passes. Each cartridge holds 4mg Nicotine and is said to last 20 minutes but my current one is going strong after five hours' on-and-off inhalation.
Once you're done, the Inhalator goes back in the little case, which is about the same size as a fag packet. It also has space for six refills. It's great to put in your pocket and you almost think you have cigarettes in there.
USAGE
Through habit, I inhale deeply on my inhalator and then exhale as if it's a cigarette. You taste nothing, but when you exhale, the sensation is not unlike the 'sting' from tobacco smoke. If anything it's a bit more harsh, a bit like having black pepper on the back of your throat. Smokers will find this sensation comforting. There's a very slight menthol taste but nothing minty and nothing as strong as menthol cigarettes.
DOES IT WORK?
In a word, yes!
I have not suffered the mad panic I usually get when I don't have cigarettes by my side. Since buying the Inhalator at noon, I have smoked one and a half cigarettes - usually I would have smoked at least ten in that time. One was triggered because I smelt my boyfriend smoking - the half was pure boredom and I found I didn't want all of it. I'm using other techniques to avoid smoking them too (only smoking in the kitchen, smoking with the wrong hand and standing up while I smoke) and that seems to work well with the inhalator.
If I have a craving, I put the inhalator between my fingers and "smoke" it once. If I've just eaten I do it for five minutes or so. If it's just a passing urge to light up I do it once or twice.
That's my first impressions anyway. I will keep updating this op through the next few days, and use it as an excuse to keep on track! I don't expect to give up but I do want to cut my tobacco intake back so a pack lasts five days instead of one. Let's see if it happens!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'll be interested to hear how you get on with these over the next few days. Can you leave me a message in my GB when you update? Cheers. Sara X
antsss 05.06.2003 00:14
Alex, I have heard lots about that book, sounds good and is always reccommended... I could only see the CD-Rom on Amazon though.
AlexW 05.06.2003 00:01
Good op, do update this and let us know how you are doing. I have so far been smoke free for 10 days now (I used Allen Carrs easyway book and it actually worked much to my surprise) :) Alex
Advantages: You still have the physical feel of putting a fag in your mouth! Disadvantages: The weaning off the inhalor. The price if not on prescription.
Jun 4th, 2003
(Jun 5th, 2003)
very helpful by (100%):
